Music Technologies PhD

Key information

Duration:
Up to 4 years full time, 6 years part time
Start date:
Choose to start in September 2024, January 2025 or April 2025
Apply by:
1 month before start (UK), 3 months before start (international)

At Sussex, we define music technologies in the widest sense – from instrument making, to studio production, to development of new musical forms in new media such as augmented realities or virtual worlds. If you’re interested in the study, development and performance of new musical technologies, this is the place for you.

You’ll:

  • produce a portfolio of original creative work that advances practice and knowledge of music technologies
  • write a 20,000-40,000-word dissertation demonstrating original research. Your dissertation will highlight ways in which your practice makes a substantial contribution to knowledge or understanding in your chosen field, and acknowledges existing scholarship and artistic practices.
You’ll have access to specialist facilities, including the latest tools in software and hardware in the Jonathan Harvey Electronic Music Studio at the Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts. You’ll be part of the Experimental Music Technologies Lab, which conducts research in new music technologies, and work closely with the Sussex Humanities Lab.
Research in the technologies of music is very interesting to me as it exists at the borders of many different disciplines – one day I might be working on mathematics for signal processing, the next day I might be building a new instrument.” Dr Chris Kiefer
 Senior Lecturer in Music Technology

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

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Entry requirements

Degree requirements

You’re normally expected to have a Merit (an average of 60% overall) in a Masters degree and an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree.

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please select your country from the list.

Argentina

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Australia

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Azerbaijan

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Bahrain

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Bangladesh

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Brazil

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Brunei

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Canada

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Chile

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

China

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Colombia

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Cyprus

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Denmark

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Ecuador

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Egypt

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

France

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Germany

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Ghana

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Greece

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Hong Kong

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

India

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Indonesia

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Iran

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Italy

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Japan

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Jordan

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Kazakhstan

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Kenya

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Kuwait

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Lebanon

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Malawi

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Malaysia

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Mexico

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Nepal

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Nigeria

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Norway

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Oman

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Pakistan

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Palestine

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Paraguay

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Peru

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Philippines

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Qatar

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Russia

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Saudi Arabia

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Singapore

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

South Africa

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

South Korea

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Spain

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Sri Lanka

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Switzerland

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Taiwan

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Thailand

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Turkey

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

United Arab Emirates

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

USA

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Vietnam

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Zambia

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Zimbabwe

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

My country is not listed

If your country is not listed, you need to contact us and find out the qualification level you should have for this course. Contact us

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. 

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

High level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component).

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about IELTS

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

We do not accept IELTS Online.

 

Check full details of our English Language requirements and find out more about some of the alternative English language qualifications listed below

Alternative English language qualifications

Proficiency tests

Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)

169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill.

We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill.

We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

High level (International ESOL SELT B2 with a minimum of 39 in each component)

LanguageCert International ESOL scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about LanguageCert SELT

We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres. We do not accept the online version.

Pearson PTE Academic

High level (62 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills)

PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic)

We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.

TOEFL (iBT)

High level 88 overall, including at least 20 Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking, 23 in Writing.

TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about TOEFL (iBT)

We do not accept TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition.

The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.

 

English language qualifications

AS/A-level (GCE)

Grade C or above in English Language.

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English.

GCE O-level

Grade C or above in English.

Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

GCSE or IGCSE

Grade C or above in English as a First Language (Grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language.

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.

If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

 Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%

Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70% 

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

English A or English B at grade 5 or above.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

Grades A - C in English language

Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 1119/GCE O-level

If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-6 in English Language.

If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.

The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

West African Senior School Certificate

Grades A1-C6 (1-6) in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Country exceptions

Select to see the list of exempt English-speaking countries

If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.

You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this, we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.

Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.

List of exempt countries: 

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Canada**
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • New Zealand
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Lucia
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines
  • The British Overseas Territories
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • United Kingdom
  • USA

** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.

English language support

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course

Visas and immigration

Find out how to apply for a student visa

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

How to apply

If you’d like to join us as a research student, there are two main routes:

Find out how to apply for a PhD at Sussex

Full-time and part-time study

Choose to work on your research full time or part time, to fit around your work and personal life. For details about part-time study, contact us at studyinmah@sussex.ac.uk

PhD or MPhil?

You can choose to study for a PhD or an MPhil. PhD and MPhil degrees differ in duration and in the extent of your research work.

  • For a PhD, your research work makes a substantial original contribution to knowledge or understanding in your chosen field.
  • For an MPhil, your work is an independent piece of research but in less depth than for a PhD. You’ll graduate with the degree title Master of Philosophy. You might be able to change to a PhD while you study for an MPhil.

Our supervisors

Funding and fees

How can I fund my course?

Funded projects and scholarships

Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals. Don’t miss out on scholarships – check the specific application deadlines for funding opportunities. Note that funded projects aren’t available for all our PhDs.

Applying for USA Federal Student Aid?

If any part of your funding, at any time, is through USA federal Direct Loan funds, you will be registered on a separate version of this degree which does not include the possibility of distance learning which is prohibited under USA federal regulations. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid.

Part-time work

We advertise around 2,500 part-time jobs a year so you can make money and gain work experience. We have a special scheme to employ students on campus, wherever possible.

Find out more about careers and employability

How much does it cost?

Fees for self-funding students

Home students: £4,786 per year for full-time students

Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £4,786 per year for full-time students

International students: £21,500 per year for full-time students

Home PhD student fees are set at the level recommended by United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) annually, rising in line with inflation. Overseas fees are subject to an annual increase - see details on our tuition fees page

Additional costs

Note about additional costs

Please note that all costs are best estimates based on current market values. Activities may be subject to unavoidable change in response to Government advice. We’ll let you know at the earliest opportunity. We review estimates every year and they may vary with inflation. Find out how to budget for student life.

Empirical research costs

On top of your PhD fees and living costs, you may also need to cover some research and training costs, relevant to your research project. These costs will depend on your research topic and training needs, but may include:

- travel (to archives, collections or scientific facilities)
- a laptop
- overseas fieldwork costs (travel and accommodation, and language training)
- conference costs (travel, registration fees and accommodation)
- laboratory consumables and workshop materials
- participant costs
- transcription or translation costs
- open-access publication costs.

If you have a scholarship from one of the UK Research Councils, your scholarship should cover these types of costs. You'll receive details of how to claim this additional funding.

If you're self funded, or if your scholarship doesn’t cover these costs, check with the Research and Enterprise Co-ordinator in your School for details of School or Doctoral School funding that may be available.

Living costs

Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

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